Former Flathead businessman and legislator John Harp has been named chief executive officer of Knife River Corp. in addition to his previous duties as chief executive officer of MDU Construction Services Group.

The umbrella company MDU Resources Group Inc. announced Harp’s appointment in a press release Tuesday.

“We are combining our construction businesses under one leader to grow our operations and better take advantage of opportunities in the construction industries,” said Terry D. Hildestad, president and CEO of MDU Resources.

“Reorganizing our construction companies simplifies our ability to collaborate across the different types of construction businesses. We will be better able to utilize people, assets and equipment, as well as make it easier for our shareholders to understand our results.”

Combined, Knife River and MDU Construction Services Group have exceeded revenues of $2.3 billion for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, and the two companies have more than 7,000 employees during peak construction season.

Harp said in an interview that the companies operate in 40 states. Knife River is concentrated mostly in Western locations, including the Flathead Valley, while MDU Construction Services operates across all four U.S. time zones.

Harp, 59, was raised in the Flathead, where his father founded Harp Line Construction with a $500 bonus for serving in the Korean War. The company was sold to MDU Resources in 1998, and Harp has been CEO of MDU Construction Services Group since 2004.

Harp served in the Montana Legislature for 20 years, his final six years as the Senate majority leader. He currently lives in Las Vegas but has a vacation home in the Flathead, where he visits during summer months.

MDU Resources, which is based in Bismarck, N.D., also announced the selection of Dave Barney as president of Knife River and Jeff Thiede as president of MDU Construction Services Group. Barney and Thiede will report to Harp.

“John has a proven track record of success in the construction business, and a significant ability to develop talented leaders and efficient teams of employees,” Hildestad said.

“With Dave overseeing the construction materials and contracting side and Jeff overseeing the construction services side of our operations, John will have a strong management team in place to continue producing excellent results from our businesses.”

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.